storrsroars
Exiled in Pittsburgh
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- Mar 23, 2012
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The source of most of today's Pacino imitations... "hoo-hah!""Scent of a Woman"-Martin Britt-1992
This was Pacino's Oscar winning role. I was surprised at how highly the film is ranked on IMdB. I hadn't viewed this film in years, but critically the film is often the victim of faint praise. Pacino plays Col. Frank Slade a 26 year military veteran. When the film opens he is totally blind. He is living with his niece's family in New Hampshire. The family wants to spend Thanksgiving with relatives, Pacino doesn't want to go. His niece puts up an ad on the bulletin board at the Baird School. The ad is answered by Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell best known for his work on NCIS LA0. Charlie is a scholarship senior who takes the job to make money so he can return home for Christmas. The film is the story of the relationship which develops between the two over the long weekend. Colonel Slade is planning to commit suicide, and Charlie is facing expulsion from Baird unless he snitches of fellow students who play a very nasty prank on the Headmaster.
The film is remembered for some great set pieces. My favorite is the tango sequence. Slade instructs a young woman, Donna (Gabrielle Anwar) in the tango despite his blindness. He later test drives a Ferrari. The there is the struggle where Charlie fights to keep Col. Slade from committing suicide. The film ends with Col. Slade coming to the defense of Charlie in a public trial before an assembly of all the Baird community. Pacino can be self indulgent, but he also takes some real chances as an actor. The scenes between Slade and Charlie are very well done. O'Donnell's performance is under rated. The script by Bo Goldman (One Flew Overt he CucKoo's Nest, and Melvin and Howard) is excellent. Just one example; when the two principals finally arrive back in New Hampshire; Slade pays Charlie the agreed upon $300 fee. During the entire film Slade has been trying to bribe Charlie with more money. Go away and let me commit suicide and I'll give you big bucks. The payment of $300 is a sign of respect.
My only real caveat is length. However, that is a minor quibble. Very highly recommended available on Prime.
btw, it's Martin Brest (who also did Midnight Run and Beverly Hills Cop). You were probably thinking of Martin Ritt, also a great director.